Travels in New Orleans: Garden District

Photos taken on Easter Sunday, 4 April 2010.
The Garden District, a neighburhood of New Orleans, is noted for its streetscapes and architecture. The area was originally settled by wealthy Americans who did not want to live in the French Quarter. Nowadays it is a destination for tourists. You may choose to experience the Garden District on board the historic St. Charles Streetcar, or like us, get off at a stop and explore the area on foot. We got off near Tulane University and Loyola University and took a lovely stroll through the neighbourhood.

The historic St. Charles Streetcar. A one-way ride is $1.25.

The interior of the streetcar.

Tulane University.


Loyla University.




Audobon Park, located near Tulane University and Loyola University.




Multi-million dollar homes near Audubon Park.




Commander's Palace is an upscale restaurant located in the Garden District. It was built in 1880, and is regarded as an institution in New Orleans.




Colonel Short's Villa at 1448 Fourth Street. A notable aspect about this house is the cornstalk fence.








Women's Opera Guild House at 2504 Prytania Street. The house combines Greek Revival and Queen Anne styles.


Adams-Jones House (1860 - 1861) at 2423 Prytania Street,




Penrose-sere House at 2300 Prytania Street.


Pritchard-Pigott house at 1407 First Street. It is an example of a Greek Revival double-galleried town house.


Robinson House (1862-66) at 1415 Third Street.

Other interesting houses in the Garden District:









New Orleans's cemeteries are also a tourist destination. The one seen here is Lafayette Cemetery. Established in 1833 and located near Commander's Palace, Lafayette Cemetery is one of New Orleans's oldest cemeteries. The cemeteries of New Orleans are often called “cities of the dead.” The reason for this is that the cemeteries are organized with streets (and street signs) much like the cities of the living.


Here are examples of aboveground tombs. A unique burial technique in New Orleans is that the dead are buried aboveground. The reason for this is because the city is located below sea level, so when the water level rises, the water would sometimes push the coffins up through the earth, causing both a gruesome sight and a health hazard. Another burial technique practiced in New Orleans is to bury all the family members in the same tomb. Hence, you'll notice the tombs themselves are quite tall, like miniture buildings.

Travels in New Orleans: French Quarter

Photos taken on Easter Sunday, 4 April 2010.
The French Quarter is the oldest neighbourhood in New Orleans. It is a fun and fascinating place to visit. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, a music lover or a party goer, the place has something for everyone. The best time to visit is in the morning. This is the time when all the revelers have gone home and the only people in sight are the street cleaners. Every morning, the street cleaners keep the French Quarter clean and smelling fresh by hosing down the streets with scented water.


New Orleans is also known as the Big Easy and the Crescent City.


Bourbon Street is named afer the French Royal Family and not the American whiskey.


Bourbon Street is famous for many things: pubs, restuarants, souvenir shops and gentlemen clubs.


A popular way to experience the French Quarter is on a horse drawn carriage ride.




Voodoo tours anyone?




Royal Street is an upscale street. It is home to antique shops, art galleries and hotels.


Hotel Monteleone at 214 Royal Street.


Benjamin H. Latrobe was a famous architect and designed this building at 403 Royal Street. Latrobe also contributed to the design of the U.S. Capitol.


Louisiana Supreme Court at 400 Royal Street.


Two sisters ran a shop here from 1886-1906, hence the name, the Court of Two Sisters. Now, it is a restaurant.


The Cornstalk Hotel at 915 Royal Street is notable for its cornstalk cast iron fence.




Preservation Hall, at 726 St Peter Street, is the best place to hear traditional New Orleans jazz. It opens nightly from 8pm.






LaBranche House at 700 Royal Street, with its famed cast-iron gallery railings, is probably the most photographed landmark in the French Quarter.




"Stella!" At 632 St Peter Street, Tennessee Williams wrote A Streetcar Named Desire.




The best time to visit the French Quarter is in the morning. On this day, the only people out and about were the restaurant workers and the street cleaners.












Jackson Square. This place comes alive with tourists and art vendors during the day.


Cross the railway crossing and walk up the steps is 'Moonwalk'. Moonwalk is the name given to the broadwalk along the banks of the Mississipi River.


'Moonwalk'.


Early monring mist over the Mississipi River.


The Crescent City Connection over the Mississipi River. On the right is steamboat Natchez.


Steamboat Natchez up close.


St Louis Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in North America. Many horse-drawn carriages line up in front of Jackson Square waiting to give tourists a tour of the French Quarter.


Cafe du Monde is an institution in New Orleans. Unfortunately, it is next to impossible to get a seat most of the time.


But if you do get a seat (like us!), make sure you order a serving (or two) of beignets and a café au lait.


The French Market is a good place for local produce and cheap souvenirs.








Cool souvenirs!


You can even get a tin of cafe au lait and a box of beignet mix to take home as presents!


Music is everywhere in the French Quarter.